Taiwan's opposition leader has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first such encounter in over a decade. Both sides affirmed the need for peace around Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. Xi and Cheng Li-wun, head of the Kuomingtang Party, expressed a desire for peaceful reunification. China has increased military exercises around Taiwan. Cheng opposes large defense spending increases in Taiwan and has blocked a special defense budget. Both leaders upheld the 1992 Consensus, opposing Taiwan's independence, and aim to prevent the Taiwan Strait from becoming a conflict flash point.
